PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Delaware Blue Hens will look to start the 2012 season 2-0 on Saturday as they host in-state rival Delaware State.

The Blue Hens took care of Division II West Chester in their opener 41-21 as sophomore quarterback Trent Hurley threw for 310 yards and three scores, overcoming three interceptions. Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler likes what his starting signal caller brings to the table.

“He adds a lot of dimension to your offense,” Keeler tells KYW Newsradio. “One of the things is he’s very athletic. We dropped back 35 times and didn’t have a single sack. And a number of those times he got himself out of trouble. He gives you the opportunity to extend plays, and also the opportunity to pull the ball down and run the ball and make some plays with his feet. On top of that he’s a pretty accurate passer.”

Listen to Matt Leon’s interview with K.C. Keeler:

KC Keeler

The Hornets also won their season opener, beating the Virginia Military Institute 17-10. Keeler says they are improved from the team that went 3-8 in 2011.B

“We played them last year obviously (45-0 Delaware win), and they are just further along. Their coaching staff got in very late in the spring (in 2011). You can just see they are more comfortable in their schemes, they are sounder. They are very athletic. A lot of seniors on offense, not as many on defense in terms of number of returning starters, but almost every guy who is playing were guys who played against last year and might have been the first back-up in. So a pretty experienced squad, I think they feel they have a pretty solid team. In a rivalry game, anything can happen and that’s what we have on Saturday.”